Waste that’s worthy of attention

February 12, 2021

Oregon’s legislative session is underway and there are over a dozen waste-related bills that have been introduced. Here are two bills that we support. Right to Repair (HB 2698): Overview If you can’t repair your own things, do you really own them? In a time of planned obsolescence where stuff is made to be broken, […]

Volunteer Spotlight: Repair Cafe Fixer Mike!

July 24, 2019

Have you ever been to one of our Repair Cafes? With 5-6 per year, these free events connect people with broken stuff to people who like to fix stuff. If you haven’t been, you should really check one out. Even if you don’t have anything that needs fixing — it’s a fun and community driven […]

Five Years of Repair Cafes in Central Oregon!

October 22, 2018

On Thursday, October 18, 2018, it was exactly nine years since Martine Postma organized the very first Repair Café in Amsterdam. Today there are over 1,600 Repair Cafés in 33 countries on six continents. Here in our own backyard, The Environmental Center’s Rethink Waste Project organized the first local event five years ago at Pakit […]

Celebrating Five Years of Repair Cafés in Central Oregon

October 15, 2018

On Thursday, October 18, 2018, it will be exactly nine years since Martine Postma organized the very first Repair Café in Amsterdam. Today there are over 1,600 Repair Cafés in 33 countries on six continents. Here in our own backyard, The Environmental Center’s Rethink Waste Project organized the first local event five years ago at […]

It’s a Repair Revolution!

November 20, 2017

Two generations ago, most people could handle simple repairs, and most things manufactured were inherently repairable. Fast forward to our current state of fast consumerism, where things are made to be obsolete within 6 months. All that “instant garbage” has to go somewhere. But the bigger impact, the one we don’t witness, is all the materials […]

Repair Revolution

November 17, 2017

Repair is having a moment. Two generations ago, most people could handle simple repairs, and most things manufactured were inherently repairable. Fast forward to our current state of fast consumerism, where things are made to be obsolete (“planned obsolescence)” within 6 months. Sometimes that’s through new colorful designs, sometimes by changing power cords, but often […]

February 11, 2016

Love is in the air, so we here at Rethink Waste Project couldn’t help but ponder how we love our stuff, or don’t for that matter. More Love, Less Waste. Love Your Stuff (and get rid of the rest) Surround yourself with things that you love, which is the idea behind Mari Kondo’s Art of […]

Repair Spotlight: Josh Sims of Gear Fix

March 26, 2014

Stepping into Gear Fix, formally known as Repeat Performance Sports, one might be fooled into thinking the outfit is just an outdoor consignment store. Not so. Bringing a six-year dream to fruition, in the past several months, owner Joshua Sims has overhauled the operation to fulfill a market need for gear repair, a viable […]

Gearing up for the Repair Cafe: Alison Murphy of Utilitu

March 20, 2014

Sitting amongst towers of fabric Alison Murphy, owner of Utilitu commands a kind of seamstress royal prowess. When asked what “Rethink Waste” means to her, Murphy says craftsmen like her have no choice but to reuse. She proceeds to explain there can be a discrepancy in value of discarded goods and collecting those goods can […]

6 Reasons I Still Have a Flip Phone

March 14, 2014

Yes, I really do still have a flip phone. And yes I’m eligible for a smartphone upgrade – I have been for years. And truthfully, eventually I will. But for now I’m not falling prey to the culture of constant upgrades: of bigger or smaller, newer or better, colorful or cool. I’m decidedly choosing […]

The Hub

Category: Repair